When scientists talk about the cryosphere, they mean the places on Earth where water is in its solid form, frozen into ice or snow. Read more ...

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4388 viewsResearchers enjoy a moment in the sun during the traverse.
Image Credit: Ted Scambos, NSIDC

Arctic Sea Ice News & Analysis3960 viewsThis image compares the average sea ice extent for September 2007 to September 2005; the magenta line indicates the long-term median from 1979 to 2000. September 2007 sea ice extent was 4.28 million square kilometers (1.65 million square miles), compared to 5.57 million square kilometers (2.14 million square miles) in September 2005. This image is from the NSIDC Sea Ice Index.

3664 viewsThe U.S.-Norway Traverse of East Antarctica traveled in a caravan of specially-designed vehicles for working and living.
Image Credit: Ted Scambos, NSIDC

NASA IceBridge3451 viewsThe Operation IceBridge mission, initiated in 2009, collects airborne remote sensing measurements to bridge the gap between NASA's Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat-I) mission and the upcoming ICESat-II mission. This photo was taken over the Patagonian ice fields, on November 23, 2009.

3370 viewsInside the dining cabin of the U.S.-Norway Traverse of East Antarctica: the team celebrates Christmas with a special dinner.
Image Credit: Ted Scambos, NSIDC